State Playoffs: Top Performers From Tuesday’s Semifinals

<p>The state finals conclude Friday and Saturday this week. But first we take a look at the top performers from the state semifinals played Tuesday.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160019" first="Reagan" last="Dryden"], 6-0 Right Side, Sr, Archbishop Mitty</strong> – The Monarchs are looking for their first state title since 2017 after downing Saint Francis in four games in the Open Division semifinals. Dryden made her impact with 14 kills, which second most on the team. It was also Dryden’s second-highest total this year behind her high of 19.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160017" first="Audrey" last="Liddle"], 6-0 Outside, Jr, Archbishop Mitty</strong> – Liddle came through with a clutch effort in the Monarchs’ victory. The junior outside posted a team-leading 20 kills. The total was her second-highest of the season and just one off of her best of 21 winners.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159951" first="Rylee" last="Schulz"], 6-0 Outside, Sr, Carlsbad</strong> – The Lancers reached their first ever state championship match by sweeping Newport Harbor in the Division 1 semifinals. Schulz delivered nicely in the victory, putting up 15 kills, 2 aces and a block.</p> <p><strong>Giselle Rodriguez, 5-7 Middle Blocker/Outside, Jr, Fall River</strong> – The Bulldogs claimed the Nor Cal Division 6 Regional championship after downing Big Valley Christian in four sets. Rodriguez did her thing throughout the match and finished with impressive numbers. She tied for the team lead in kills with 10 while hitting .346 on 26 swings. She led the team in both digs (25) and blocks (4) as well.</p> <p><strong>Ellie Jacobson, 5-6 Middle Hitter/Outside, Jr, Fall River</strong> – Jacobson wasn’t far behind with her performance, which also produced a double-double. She tied for the lead with 10 kills. She also chipped in with 15 digs, which was second-most behind Rodriguez.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159497" first="Victoria" last="Vanos"], 6-2 Outside, Sr, Hillsdale</strong> – Vanos played a key role as the Fighting Knight upset Nor Cal’s top seeded team in Oak Ridge in the Division 1 semifinals. The senior put up 15 kills on 46 swings, hitting .261. She was also second in digs with 16 and delivered 3 blocks as well.</p> <p><strong>Naomi Seivold, Outside/L/DS, Sr, Carondelet</strong> – Spending most all the year as a defender, Seivold has been thrusted into a hitting role the last three outings and she delivered as the Cougars topped Santa Cruz in the Division 3 semifinals. Seivold had 12 kills on 27 swings and hit .296. She also led the team with 3 aces while contributing 7 digs.</p> <p><strong>Rylee Chilson, Outside, Sr, Carondelet</strong> – Chilson’s effort can’t be overlooked, especially on the defensive end. The senior produced a season-high 20 digs. She also was effective on offense, posting 5 kills on 12 swings and hitting .417.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159969" first="Ashlee" last="Kraft"], 5-9 Outside, Sr, University Prep</strong> – Kraft’s 17 kills were a team high as the Panthers took care of West Valley in straight sets in the Division 4 semifinals. They came on 39 swings while she hit .282. It was her third-highest kill total of the season. She also had 7 digs.</p>